Daylight-projecting system



Dec. 14,1926. 1,610,423

A. J. CAWLEY v DAYLIGHT PRO JECTING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 22, 1921 @fw w Patentedgnef. 14,` 1926.

UNITED .STATES .aLoYsIUs J. CAWLEY, or rrrrs'ron, PENNSYLVANIA. f

DAYLrGHr-rnoancrme SYSTEM.

Application filed January 22, 1921. Serial No. 439,286.

The invention relates generally to the production of daylight pictures by means of specially polarized light; more particularly, it involves a specially designed projection screen so designed that when polarized light is used, the image is easily discernible upon it. Such screens are also capable of dissiypating light which does not arrive at the screen from the direction of the projector.

`1o Light from the projector, therefore, possesses two advantages over all other, namely, that due to the plane in which it is polarized and that due to the position of the projector itself.

A further object of the invention is the design of a theatre that will greatly enhance lthe production of daylight pictures by means of polarized light. The invention Aalso provides means whereby a picture that is practically invisible to the naked eye, will be rendered visible.

'Reference is to he had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this speciiication, in which like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in all the views, and in which, Y.

Figure l is'a cross-sectional view of a special type of projection screen capable' of rendering images upon its surface clearly visible when projected'by means of polarized light.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a modificat-ion of the screen shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of another. modification of the screen shown in Fig-ure l.

Figure a is a cross-sectional view of. a pie-v ture, screen that will reflect light from the projector, while transmitting' that coming 40 froimt-he sides of the theatre; it is unneces-` sarv to silver it.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of a screen similar to that shownin Figure, 4, butvdiffering `from it in having the ridged surface next to the audience. Figure 6 is a' cross-sectional view of a device for manufacturing screens simple.

Figure 7 is an elevational view of'a device similar' to that in Figuref, but designed to vimpress ridges on either side of the screen u that are in a direction at right angles to each other..

Figure 8a is'aview of the surface, farthest removed from the audience, of a screen simfilar tothat shown in Figure 4. This screen, however, is provided with two series of back from the screen to the spectators, while all other light is largely dissipated or absorbed. Secondly, light coming from the direction of the projectoris returned to the spectators by specially designed screens. Consequently, light that'both comes from the direction of Ithe projector and is also properly polarized will have-supreme advantage over all other light inbeing observed bythe audience. The screens are designed to largely absorb or dissiplate light not possessing these advantages.

The light is polarized in the projector in a certain plane, which may be the vertical plane. It is a well known fact that when polarized lightmeets a transparent medium at its polarizing angle, it will largely pass through this medium and will not be appreciably reflected therefrom. Figure 1 represents a cross-sectional view of a projection screen, which has on its surface fine'ridges whose sloping sides make exact angles with the plane of the screen itself. These angles are so selected that When a ray of light 8, coming from thel projector, reaches the screen, it strikesone of the sloping sides at an angle P, which is the polarizing angle for the particular medium of which the screen is composed. In the drawing P is shown as 57 degrees, which isthat characteristic of a very common kind of glass.` It will be found that for a certain position of the plane of polarization (determined byrotating the polarizer in the projector)" that the light will pass entirely through the screen, while light polarized in" any other plane will be more or less reflected,` so that light polarized in a plane ninety degrees removed from that in which the refracted light is polarized, will be totallylreiiected from the surface of the sloping side, The

; course of ray 8, therefore, if it be polarized in the proper plane, will be into layer 1, to

the surface 5 of the layer 2, through layers 2 and 3. The lower surface of layer 3 is silvered or otherwise rendered reflecting, and reflects the ray back to the eyes of the observers in front. Since ordinary light is polarized in practically all planes, it is perfectly obvious that'only a small proportion of it is polarized in the saine plane as that of the projector. Therefore, the light coming from the direction of the projector, but not from it, will not be polarized in the proper plane except for a very small proportion, and Will therefore, .be mostly reflected at the s urface, and pass into layer 1 to surface 9, thence into layers 2 and 3 to surface 6 and there be again reflected by surface 7; finally' v lWhatever is left of it will be absorbed by an absorbing medium 13, which vmay b e black paint, black velvet, or the like. In short,

such light will be dissipated and will not reach the audience. It is to be noted that the ridges' 4 should'be sufficiently fine that they will not interfere with the distinctness of vthe picture as at present projected inpractice. In fact,- they may be made so fine that they cannot be observed at the ordinaryv viewing distance of a motion picture. The invention is not limited 'to this, however, as

it includes all sizesof ridges, or pyramids, if

If desired, layers 2 and 3 may be omitted,

andthe lower layer 'of 1 silvered. `Light ray 10, coming at an,y angle to the picture screen, such as from a lamp, or Window, at theA wall of the theatre,- passes through surface'll into medium 1, and thence into 2 and 3, and is thence reflected lat an angle to the left; it is greatly dissipated, as shown, duringfits passage by reflection from the surfaces ofthe different layers, both in passing to 7, and on its Way therefrom to the eX- terior. A large'part of it will be imprisoned by total reflection and sent to the left, and finally completely absorbed by 13. One can readily see that the only light that is relected 4in its entirety from'7 is that' which comes from the projector, due both to the position of the projector and the plane .in

whichits light is polarized. In order that all light coming from the projector may be at the polarizing angle, thescreen may be arranged in 'a'curved form, 1. e., as part of the circumference of a'circle with -the projector located at the center thereof. Figure 2represents a cross-sectional View of another modification of the invention, 'in which layer 2a is of greater density than la,

and 3a still greater than 2", and also V14 still greater than 3a. As ray 10a enters the screen, it passes successively through layers l, 2a, 3a*` and 14'; as itfdoes thi-s, there is great possibility of itsV 'being totally reflected, by

Y sooner or later meeting one of the surfaces at an angle greater than the .critical angle. In

case of such 'imprisonment by total refiection, it is reflected repeatedly until it reachesV the absorbing medium 13a,where it is complete- Aly extinguished. A partA of the light from ray b illustrates this clearly. If desired, the

ridges on the upper layer may b-e dispensed proportion of it is Wasted by reflection at the different layers.

The layers may be disposed in any order desired With regardto density, for instance in Figure 3 still another modification i's shown Whereinvthe middle layer 3* is less dense. than' either 2b vor 14". inwards to vsurface 7b, is reflected and finally absorbed by layer 15, but before reaching the latter, its energy may be completely dissi- Ray 10b passes pated, due to repeated reflections, some of which are shown, and to absorption in the* glass itself. This figure also illustrates the fact that the screen may be made in sections, if desired, such'. asthose bonded by absorbing layers 13band 15; each-section is thus provided. -With absorbing layers similar to 15, which may be composed of velvet, or dark paint. i

The foregoing illustrates the fact that light not coming from the projector, due to` y the plane of its polarization, or angle of incidence at the screen, or both., Will be sent through a longer path in the screen than that coming from the projector itself, and have its energy destroyed by absorption in passing through excessive lengths of glass and also in thev absorbing layer itself. The remainder of such light, if any, is reflected at an acute angle from the surface of the screen,l and does not reach. the observers.

T here is'also another form of screen, such as that illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, which consists of one'medium, and which dees not require the use of silver to obtain a reflecting surface. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional vieu7 of a-screen Whose angles 20 are right angles. The invention, howevencovers any angle, which may ,even be the polarizing an'- gle. The. lightv ray 8, coming from tlr'e project-or, entersthe screen,'and meets the surface 16 at an angle of45 degrees, which ion is greater than the critical angle of the I -mediuira and it is, therefore,'tot'ally reflected, and'comes in contact with the other 'surfaceat 17 at 45 degrees also. It is again .totally r ilected here, and is sent back to the thea re in a4 direction. approximately parallel to that 'in which `it entered the screen. l By selecting a medium Whose critical angle is as near forty-five degrees as possible, it is obvious that light coming' to gle, will not be totally reflected. For inthe screen .at an angle less than a rightf anbut strikes the opposite surface atan angle that is complementary to its angle of incidence, and is therefore, greater than the critical angle; 1t is, of course, not totally refiected at the latter surface, but passes` largely through, and is absorbed .by any light absorbing medium which may be placed behind the screen, such as the black y velvet curtain 19, which is shown here. It

is thus seen that light coming from the projcctor is sure to be totally reflected back to the audience, while that coming vfroln the sides of the theatre, such vas from doors or windows, is'abiorbed. Since the ridges, as previously mentioned, are to be line, the screen, when illuminated by thefprojector light, will have the appearance of a frosted silver mirror; furthermore, the. ridges will breakup any direct reflection, such as that -of an image of the theatre in front. lConsequently, if the theatre is arranged so that' there are no lights or windows at or near the rear to speak of, they being disposed rather at the sides of the theatre, daylight pictures can be readily produced. If the angle 20 between the ridges is, for any reai son, not degrees, the projector light should be polarized, as` described in'connection with Figure 5, but this is not absolutely necessary. Y

'Figure 5 fromthe above in that the ridged surface is located next to the audience. `The angles shown between the ridges are preierably right angles. Here, however, since'the reflection takes place in the less densev medium, there is no critical-angle, and as a result, -no total reflection as in the case of Figure 5, and ray 8b is only partially reflected from 11a, and some of the light enters the body of the screen. In order to compensate for this, the projector light should be polar ized insuch a plane that it will belargely reflected at the surface indicated. The

proper plane of polarization to accomplish' this is lreadily found by simply .rotating the polarizer in therojector until the position of greatest brig tness'is obtained. The light coming from'the windows, or thelike at the sides of the theatre should be polarized .in a plane ninety degrees different from that of the projector light, as decribed in connection withFigure 9. vThiswill greatly l aid such light in passing into the body of the screen andbeing absorbed` so as .not to interfere with projection.

at 13d, which may be paint or black velvet.

Anumber of indentations 33 should be proshows a modification differing- A black coating is shown at the sides and back of the screen vof manufacturing any of those screens. 24

represents a cross-sectional View of an endless band, such as those used in making celis poured on to the surface 24 While in a plastic, or semi-plastic', or liquidV condition,

and when suiiiciently hard, it is stripped off. The screen 23 formed in this case would have but one ridged surface, such as those shown in any of the previous figures. However, if it is desired to place ridges or the like on both faces, a roll 21, having the proper configurations'22 may be used in conjunction'with 24. The resulting screen 23 is thus provided with ridges on both surfaces running in parallel directions. Figure 7 illustrates-that the screen may also be provided with ridges that are at a right angle or less to each other as regards their direction. -F or this purpose, the roll 213L similar to 21 is turned around through an4 angle'o't' ninety degrees. The ridges in 24a run in the same direction asv those in 24; here, however, as a diversion, their sides are y at right angles to each/"lotherl Also if desired, 24 or 24a may7 have plain surfaces, the configurations being impressed by rolls 2l or 21.

The steel band may be proyidedwith two series of ridges running at right angles vto each other, andfthe screen formed from it will, have a large number of small pyramids on its surface, as shown at 25 in Figure 8a. 2Oc and 2()t1 indicate two grooves running at right angles to each other produced by the 'ilglges in the Asurface of the steelband or the A composite type of screen embodying many of the features of the foregoing is shown in Figure 8b. It differs'from those described in that layer 1c is bounded by par- `It isrrefiected by the Silvered or like surface'7c, and-proceeds backward along prac-A ve'redsurf'ace justmentioned may-be dispensed .with by using the screen shown 1n 3, whose surfaces 16* and-17b are at right l through 1C, 67 and enters 3d: Here it meets ltically the same path which it entered, finally Y reaching (the, audience in front. lThe sillil() are provided with polarizing means;` this surface 17b at an angle greater than the critical angle, and is totally reflected to surface 16a, Where it isagain totally reflected,'

passing through A3, 67 and lC to the audience. Light which is not polarized in the propel' plane Will be reflectedat the surfaces, such as 11a, and will then enter the opposite surface, such as 11", and be sent on a. circuitous path throughthe screen, and be largely dissipated. Thus, projector light Has an immenseadvantage in being returned to the spectators from the screen.

A conventional representation of a theat-re utilizing the polarized system of projection, and also specially adapted to use the color process to be described later, is shown in Figure 9, Where 27 represents a picture screen similar tothose described. This, of course,has the property of reflecting light polarized in a certain plane, While absorbing a large proportion, if not all, light polarized in other planes. The light from projector 26 is polarized in such a plane that it will be sent back'to the audience by screen 27, While lightpolarized in other planes Will bev either absorbed or dissipated in the screen; light polarized in a plane ninety degrecs removed roni'that which is most readily reflected by the screen Will be totally absorbed.- In order to take full advantage of this fact, all Windows such as 28, 28', 29, 29",

may be easily done by providing them with ridges as previously described in connection with' the screens.V The light reaching such ywindows should do so at approximately perpendicular incidence, and other light should be excluded. The polarizing means is so arranged that practically only that light is transmitted which is' polarized in a plane at right angles to that which is sent back by the A screen. Such light lWill, therefore, be absorbed by the screen: The vertical lines in 27 and the horizontal ones in the Windows and lamps are intended to represent conventionally that there, is a dierence of ninety degrees in the planes of polarization of the light admitted by the windows, or

emitted by the lamps, and the light reliectc'd from the screen, and by means uof which the picture is seen. Y Obviously, the interior of the theatre is seen by light polarized in one plane, WhileV the picture is seen upon the screen by means of light polarized in a plane approximately at right angles to the former. The screen is darkv to all but projector light, as it absorbs that from the Windows or lamps. If itis desired to vtake a further precaution, the Walls of the theatremay be provided with a ridged' surface, similar to that of the screen `in Figure 1, and such ridges placed so as to reflect light coming from the Windows or lights, and'absorb that in other planes. This feature is indicated at `is thrown on such a screen,

32. A Wall paper which is practically suitable for this purpose already exists upon the market; it is not necessary that the angles be such that the light rays will impinge at the polarizing angle, as any'angle would have partial polarizing effects. All ribbed or grained surfaces possess the property of reflecting light polarized. in a' certain plane, and absorbing thatl polarized in a plane ninety degrees different from the former. Even Wood possesses this property, and even though the Woodwork in the theatre Were not actually ridged, still rit could be arranged s'o that its polarizing properties could be utilized When it is being placed in position by examining it with a Nicol prism, and placing 4it so that it Will reiiect light polarized so that it- Will be absorbed by the screen. In the drawings I have not indicated the actual direction in which the ether particles are vibrating in illustrating the polarizing apparatus, as it would be`=of little assistance in practical Work. All that could tell Whether a polarizing Window light,

for instance, were placed correctly or not, by simply turning .it around, and observing the positions in which its light was entirely reliected and entirely absorbed by the screen.

A person not` knowing anything about optics could do this successfully. When a theatre is built according to the description given above, all of its parts will be clearly visible, as in ordinary daylight, but its screen-When no picture is projected upon it, Will have a dark or black appearance. When a picture it will be easily visible, as its dark portions or shadows are not'illuminated by the illuminants. i

Although a determined edort is made to.

,take advantage of totalpolarization in all the apparatus, still in practice partial polarization will probably be sufficient. In describing ridged surfaces as polarizing means, the object in mind was the cheapness of such means as compared with other polarizing means, .such -asIceland spar, etc., which are generally used for such purposes.

I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent:

1. In. combination, a projector having means for polarizing light in a definite plane, a screen receiving the polarizedlight rom said projector upon its surface and provided 'with means for reflecting all light polarized in said plane and refracting more or less light polarized in. planes diiierent from said plane.

l2. A projecting system, consisting of' a A ized light from said projector upon its surface and which reflects projector dissipates and absorbs other light.

3. A projecting system consisting of a polarized light projector projecting polarized light, a screen provided With polarizing means receiving polarized light from said projector upon its surface, and which reflects light polarized in the same plane as projector light and coming from tlie direction of. the projector, and dissipating other light. 4. A projecting system consisting of a projector projecting plane polarized light, a Screen receiving said light whose surface is provided with ridges having flat sides so inclined as to reflect light coming from the direction of said projector back in the General direction of said projector, and reract light coming from directions at an angle to direction of said lprojector, said ridges possessing geometric uniformity.

5. A projecting system consisting of a screen coacting with a projector projecting polarized light, said screen having a totally reflecting surface at its rear, capable of rcflecting light from said projector, and more or less refracting light differing from said projector light in polarizational and directional characteristics. l

6. A projecting system consisting of a projector projecting polarized light upon a screen having a ridged surface, the sides of the ridges of said ridged surfaces being soA inclined as to reflect li ht from direction of projector and to re ract more or less other light, and ,a light absorbing medium placed at rear of said screen to absorb light refracted by said screen.

7. A projecting system consistino of a projector projecting light polarized in a definite plane upon a light transmitting screen having va totally reflecting surface consisting of al plurality of geometrically uniform ridges provided With flat surfaces inclined at an angle of approximately forty live degrees that light fromisaid projector is incident upon said surfaces at such angle as to be totally reflected back in the general direction of said projector, While transmitting light incident upon said screen at an angle to normal.

8. .A projecting system consisting of a projector projecting light polarized in a definite plane upon a translucent or trans- -parent screen having a totally -reflecting surface which reflects light of said projector, while transmitting light coming to the said screen at an angle to the normal, and a light absorbing medium at rear of screen to absorb said transmitted light.

9. A projecting system consisting of a projector light so polarized as to be reflected from a ridged surface due tothe inclination of sides of said ridges; said surface refractlight and ing light polarized in planes other than that` of the said projector light.v i

10. A projecting system consisting of a projector emitting light provided with ridges Whose sides are so inclined, ascreen polarized in a definite plane that they reflect said light more copiously than light polarized in other planes.

11. A projecting system lconsisting of a projector emitting light polarized in a delinite lane, a screen provided With means for readi y reflecting said light and readily absorbing light polarized in other planes; means consisting of planes of transparent material having ridged surfaces, the sides of said ridges being inclined at the most suitable angle, for excluding from screen all light except'projector light that will be re` flected therefrom.

12. A projecting screen consisting of a plurality of superposed layers of transparent material, each of said layers having a `different refractive index, the layers being so4 arranged that the refractive index decreases in the direction away from' the projecting means, a reflecting surface being provided at side of said screen farthest from said projecting means, each of said layers being capable of imprisoning light incident at spe-l cific angles of incidence, said imprisoning being by means of the phenomena known to optical science at total .internal reflection, said layers completely transmitting light at normal incidence to be reflected by said reflecting surface.

13. A projection screen having polarizing ridges at its surface and reflecting surface at its rear, and a light absorbing medium at its sides.

14. A projection screen having a polarizing surface provided With `a plurality of uniformly inclined planes capable of reflecting light polarized in the plane of incidence and refracting other light, layers of different refractive indices at rear of said polarizing surface, to imprison by total reflection light refracted at said polarizing surface, a reflecting surface at rear toreflect light re- -fracted at said polarizing surface, and light absorbing layers at sides, to absorb light not refracted at said polarizing surface.

15. A transparent screen having a ridged. surface which is' totally reflecting for light at normal incidence on said screen and consisting of a plurality of inclined planes Which reflect light coming from the direction of the projector and transmit that coming from' other directions.

16. 'A screen consisting of a transparent or translucent medium having a totally 'reflectingsurface, consisting of ridges Whose sides are inclined to the surface of the screen at an angle of 45 degrees.

17. A projecting `screen consisting of a transparent medium having a surface which is totally reflecting for light coming to said screen at normal incidence, said surface being situated at rear of said screen `and consisting of afplurality of geometrically uniform ridges, Whose flat sides are inclined at an angleof approximatelyI degrees to` surface adjacent projector, the sides of said ridges constitute a plurality ofplanes Which meet projector light at substantially the polarizing angle.

20. A projection screencomposed of several layers of different refractive index;` the surface adjacent the projector being provided With polarizing means, and the surface farthest from said projector being refleeting, light absorbing means being provided at the sides.

, 2 1.A projection screen composed of several transparent or translucent layers of different refractive-index, having light reflecting means at the rear and light absorbing means at the sides.

22. A projection screen provided with means for reflecting light polarized in the plane of incidence, and refracting light not so polarized.

v23. A projection screen consisting of a transparent or translucent body Whose surface adjacent projector is provided with ridges whosesurfaces are inclined so as to meet projector light at approximately the polarizing angle. f

A projection screen having a surface provided with ridges whose sides are inclined at 90 degrees to leach other.

' 25. A -theatre Whosehght sources are provided with light polarizing means, which polarize light in a definite plane, a projection screenv located in said theatre and provided "W1th a surface consisting of ridges Whose sides are inclined at approximately the polarizing angle, said screenbeing so placed f as to transmit light from said light source,

and permit it to impinge u ponI a light absorber, in orderv thereby to give a dark appearance to said screen when light from said light source impingesfthereon.

26. A theatrefwhose interior surfaces are` provided with light polarizing means, such as ridges whose sides are inclined at the polarizing angle, a projector located in said theatre provided with means for polarizing light in such definite planeas to be reflected from the surface -of a projection screen located in said theatre and having a surface consisting of ridges inclined at approximately the polarizing angle, and which transmit light polarized in a plane corresponding to that of light reflected from said projector. v

27e-.A theatre containing a projector provided With means for polarizing its light, in a definite plane, a screen receiving light from said projector upon its surface which is provided ,With a plurality of uniformly inclined planes and acting to reflect projector light due to its plane of polarization and therefore all light polarized in the same plane as said projector light, and interior surfaces and light sources also provided with a plurality of inclined planes, said planes in the case'of said light sources acting to polar-v ize theirlight in a plane substantially ninety i degrees removed from the plane of said projector light and therefore causing it to be absorbed by said screen; the planes on said interior surfaces acting toreect only that light which will be absorbed by the screen.

28,. A theatrecontaining a projector provided With means for polarizing its light in a definite plane, a screen receiving light from said projector and provided with means such as a plurality of planes inclined at such angle as torelle'ct light polarized in the same 95 plane as the projector light and refract light polarized in other planes, light sources providedyvith means such as planes inclined at substantially the polarizing angle for polarizing their lightin such plane that When incident upon said screen they Will berefracted thereby, and inte-rior surfaces pro vided with a plurality of inclined planes acting to reflect light polarized in a plane so that when incident Aupon said' screen, it 105 Will be refracted thereby.

29. theatre `having illuminators provided with light polarizing means, such as aplurality of-planes inclined at the polarizing angle located on surface of said illuminators and acting to polarizelight such plane that it is absorbed by light polarizing means consisting of planes inclined at the polarizing angle locatedv on the surface of a projection screen located in said theatre in order that said screen may thereby have a dark appearance. v

30. A projecting system consisting of a projector provided with polarizing means consisting of-a bundle 'of thin plates of glass 120 inclined to the light rays at the polarizing angle acting to polarize the light in the plane of incidence, a screen receiving said light upon its surface which is provided with a plurality of inclined *planes which reflect said light due .to its being polarized in the planeof incidence and which refract light polarized at an angle to the plane of incidence. v l f v 31. Atheatre having av plurality of illu 130 minators 'which polarize light in a definite plane, a projector in said theatre provided with means for polarizing light` in such delinite pla-ne as to be ninety degrees removed from the plane of polarization of light from said'illuminators when both lights impinge v j'ectors.

32. A theatre having a. plurality of illuminators which polarize light in a. denite plane,ia projector in said theatreprovided' with means for polarizing light in such definite plane as to be ninety degrees removed from the plane of polarization of light from said illuminators when both lights impinge upon a Vprojection screen located in said theatre which is provided with means for transmitting light polarized in a plane corresponding to that of the said illuminators and reflect light polarized in a plane corresponding to that of said projectors, the interior-'surfaces of said theatre being provided With. means for absorbing light po larized in a plane corresponding to that of lthe light reflected from said projector.

yALoYsrUs Ji CAWLEY. 

